The Memory of Fire
............. 5 stars
By
Callie Bates
Genre: Fantasy .... sequel to The Walking Land
The
Memory of Fire is the sequel to The Walking Land – which
absolutely bowled me over with it's excellence! I waited with so
much excitement and anticipation for the book 2.
Again,
as with The Walking Land
, I love the book cover the author has chosen. Creative, imaginative
and mysterious – perfect cover art for the story contained within.
The
Memory of Fire was fast paced,
exciting and an excellent fantasy book. We were introduced to Jahan
Korakides (the Korakos) in The Walking Land
book 1, yet his character remained somewhat aloof. The Memory of
Fire is Jahan's story, told from his point of view. The
Memory of Fire builds Jahan's
character. He says he is different from the few present local
sorcerers because “he was born to it from birth”. We learn of
the evil witch/sorcerer , Madiya, who taught Jahan and his 2 younger
brothers from birth, albeit through somewhat traumatic and torturous
“experiments”.
The
“Legend and Mythology” of Jahan's ancestors:
Mantius
> Kyros Korakides was a Britemnosi Lord who fought and claimed the
Britemnois Aisles alongside Paladius the 1st.
He was murdered by treachery and betrayal (likely by an agent of
Paladius?) along with most of the sorcerers. Kyros received none of
the riches and titles Paladius promised – neither did his children,
(heirs). Paladius then made all magic against the law.
“Mantius
was my comfort. My ancestor, the greatest sorcerer of his age, who
wore a cloak of black feathers. He had been able to transform
himself into a raven.”
Mantius
made whole cities disappear and reappear, crossed endless deserts in
a day, defeated enemy armies with their own nightmares come to life
…..
.
. . . THAT is how we've come to be what we are. . . . A shame to
Mantius's glorious legacy.
Jahan
returns to his homelands of Ida and Paladis to seek a treaty with the
Emperor on behalf of the lands of Eren and Caeris. Things have
changed greatly in the 6 months he has been gone. Jahan is forced to
join in a rebellion, an uprising of his people, against the Emperor
and his army. [ no more spoilers, read the book]
Through
the course of this book, Jahan's story, we see Jahan Korakides grow,
learn, and transform into a much more powerful sorcerer. Grow to be
more of an equal to his chosen mate, Elanna Valtai, the Caveadear of
Eren and Caeris.
I
DO
think readers need to read The
Walking Land,
Book 1, first to fully understand the characters, the significance of
things that occur in The
Memory of Fire.
The world building, legend, mythology and character building was SO
immense and powerful in The
Walking Land that
it set my expectations perhaps too high for any sequel.
While
there was
a lot of world building and development of new, fascinating
characters in The
Memory of Fire,
it seemed a bit rushed and the new characters, the new lands, myths
and legends lack the depth we saw in The
Walking Land. I
kept waiting for more “legend and mythology” to be built up and
explored.
I
was left somewhat disappointed in that aspect of the book. IE: I
would love for Tirisero The God of Lost Battles to be developed
further! The Secret Flame, unified with the deep water. The heart
of Tirisero.
Rumor
has it there is a 3rd
book in this series..... perhaps the author can delve deep and bring
forth these mysterious legends and myths in the 3rd
book!?
…..
anxiously awaiting book 3........
I
thank the author for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my
honest review.
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